London's waterways have a new attraction: Maria Alexander, a floating widebeam canal boat that functions as a full-service spa, complete with a hot tub, wood-fired sauna, and treatment room. Moored at Limehouse Basin, the vessel offers a unique wellness experience that rivals high-end hotel spas, according to a review by Metro's Lifestyle Editor Rachel Moss.
What the spa boat offers
The sleek white vessel, owned by couple Corvin Roman and Ingrid Eriksson, opens up like a Tardis to reveal its amenities. Packages start at £175 for two people for two hours, including a 30-minute treatment each. The experience includes a warm foot soak, herbal tea, and massages, followed by free time to use the hot tub and sauna. Guests are given a bell to summon the owners, who stay out of sight to avoid awkward small talk.
Behind the scenes: a labour of love
Ingrid Eriksson has a background working in London's exclusive spas and private members' clubs, while Corvin Roman works in insurance and completed a massage course to provide treatments onboard. The couple purchased an empty vessel in Liverpool and had it transferred to London, working with interior designers and an architect to create a Japandi design—mixing Japanese simplicity with Scandinavian warmth. The Boat Fit Company in Tottenham brought the vision to life.
“Even moving the boat is challenging in central London, just because of the size of it,” Corvin told Moss. “There’s constant attention needed too. If you’re not on board for a week, you come and then you find something that’s not working and needs fixing.”
Challenges and popularity
Negotiating mooring leases has been difficult. The boat previously moored in Paddington and Little Venice but was forced to move when landlords pressured for a 10-year lease. The current location in residential Limehouse is peaceful but lacks footfall. Despite these challenges, 80% of bookings so far have been couples, and the boat has proven popular with religious clients who cannot use public spas, as all-female staff can be arranged upon request.
The project took three years to develop alongside other jobs, soft-launching with family and friends before operating as a commercial vessel this spring. Currently, only dried fruit is available onboard, but the owners have acquired a food licence and are in talks with caterers for extended packages.
Overall experience
Moss describes the afternoon as “almost meditative,” with the hot tub-sauna cycle leaving fingers and toes wrinkly. She recommends the experience for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, noting that supporting a small local business is an added bonus.
